You can use an over-the-counter drink, such as Pedialyte or Infalyte. Do not water down these drinks.

You can also try Pedialyte popsicles.

Watered-down fruit juice or broth may also help.

Medicines that slow diarrhea are usually not given because they may make the infection last longer. If you have severe symptoms, your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics.

If you take water pills or diuretics, you may need to stop taking them when you have diarrhea. Ask your health care provider.

Your doctor might recommend antibiotics if you:

Have diarrhea more than 9 or 10 times per day

Have a high fever

Need to be in the hospital

Outlook (Prognosis):

In otherwise healthy people, symptoms should go away in 2 to 5 days, but they may last for 1 to 2 weeks.

The bacteria can be shed in the feces of some treated patients for months to a year after the infection. Food handlers who carry salmonella in their body can pass the infection to the people who eat the food they have handled.

When to Contact a Medical Professional:

Call your health care provider if:

There is blood or pus in your stools

You have diarrhea and are unable to drink fluids due to nausea or vomiting

You have a fever above 101°F and diarrhea

You have signs of dehydration (thirst, dizziness, light-headedness)

You have recently traveled to a foreign country and developed diarrhea

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